Tape coating and dispensing apparatus



March 24, 1959 H. c. PAULSEN TAPE comma AND DISPENSING APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1956 [n venzow Hans C. Paulsen March 24,1959 H. c. EAULSEN TAPE COATING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed March l, 1956 lnvenzm Hans C Fau/sen B )u' xii? M h 1959 H. c.PAULSEN 2,878,777

TAPE COATING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet3 I 'Hans C. Pau/sen By hi ey 2,878,777 TAPE COATING AND DISPENSINGAPPARATUS Hans C. Paulsen, Medford,-Mass., assignor to United ShoeMachinery Corporation, Flemington, N.J., a corporation of New JerseyApplication March 1, 1956, Serial No. 568,914

1 Claim. (Cl. 118-43) This invention relates to tape coating anddispensing devices and is described and illustrated herein as embodiedin an apparatus for applying to one side of an extent of uncoated, tapeauniform coat of a pressuresensitive heated adhesive, the apparatusincluding means for cooling and drying the tape and the adhesive appliedthereto as well as means for severing and dispensing various lengths ofthe coated tape, as required.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the typereferred to which will be simple and compact in structure. and thus willbe capable of being easily moved from place to. place.

To that end and in accordance with a feature of the invention, theillustrated apparatus is provided with tape cooling and drying meanscomprising a single roll or reel adapted to support a single-convolutionof coated tape between. an adhesive applying device and a tape severingand dispensing device.

In accordance with another feature of the invention the adhesiveapplying device and the tape supporting reel (cooling and drying means)are closely associated with a supply of uncoated tape. In theillustrated embodiment of the invention the adhesive applying device andthe tape drying means are located in vertical alinement with the tapesupply, the arrangement being such that the adhesive applying device islocated vertically below and the tape drying means vertically above thetape supply.

These and other features. of the invention will now be described indetail in conjunction with the appended drawings.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of a tape coating and dispensingapparatus constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the upper portion of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in front elevation of a tape severing anddispensing device associated with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,except that the upper portion of the apparatus has been omitted;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, the section being taken along the line VV ofFig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of adhesive storing and adhesive applying devicesassociated with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is an elevation, in section, of the adhesive storing device, thesection being taken along line VII--VII of Fig. 6.

The illustrated tape coating and dispensing apparatus is manuallyoperated to prepare and make available extents of adhesive coated tape 2of varying lengths which are manually pulled off in the desired lengthsand severed.

To that-end the apparatus is provided with a support 10 (Fig. 1) for asupply of uncoated tape made of'suitable material such as paper, a tapecoating or adhesive tates Patent applying device 12, a support,14 for asingle convolution of coated tape which. permits the, coated tape tobecome somewhat dry and, in caseof theapplication ofa heated adhesive,to, permit the coat of adhesive on the tape to cool, a tape dispensingand; severing device 16 and finally tape guiding rolls 18, 20 and22 forconducting the tape from one device to the other.

With reference to. Fig, 1 ofthe drawings, it will be noted that thesupport 10 for. the supply of uncoated tape, the adhesive applyingdevice 12 and the support 14 for a single convolution of coated tape arearranged in vertical alinement which makes, for a compact structure. Asshown, the tape supply, is in the form of a coil mounted on a reel fromwhich, the tape extends downwardly to the adhesive applying device 12.The. tape passes through the device 12 to become uniformly coated withadhesive on one side thereof, thenceto the tape guiding roll 18 andfromthere over the support 14 which also is in the form of areel, thencedownwardly over the tape guiding rolls 20, 22 to the tape dispensing'andsevering device16.

The various devicesor instrumentalities of the illustrated apparatus aresupported on a base plate 24 which is secured to supporting membersl26asshown in Figs. 1 and4.

The adhesive to be applied to the tape isstored in a pot 28 (Figs. 4, 6and 7) of rectangular cross section with a rounded hollow interior and aslanting bottom shown in Fig. 7. Since-the adhesive contained in the pot28 preferably is heated and applied while hot, it will be necessary toheatthe pot 28. To avoid undue heating of the base plate-24, by contactwith the pot 28, the latter is secured to the base plate 24 in spacedrelation thereto. More specifically,fourscrews 30 (one shown in Fig- 4)spaced equally apart extend upwardly from the base plate24 in which theyare secured, into tapped holes provided in the bottom wall of the pct28. The four screws 30 are surrounded by sleeves or bushings 32contactingwith their opposite ends the base plate-24 and the outerbottom face of the pot 28.

As illustrated best in Figs. 4 and 5, the pot 28 is provided at itsright-hand side (as seen in these figures) with a lower lateralextension 34.

Since, as mentioned above, itis desirable that the adhesive in the potas well as in the adhesive applying device, of which-the justv mentionedlateral extension 34 is a part, be heated,there are provided two heatingcartridges 36 located in horizontalbores extendingthrough the bottomportion of the pot 28 as well as through the lateral extension 34.Secured to the left-hand side face of the pot 28 (as seen in Fig. 4) isa thermostat 38 to regulate and keep uniform the temperature to whichthe pct 28 is heated. Connected in the circuit ofthe thermostat andcartridges 36 is a pilot lamp 40 mounted in a housing, the entireelectrical installation being connectable to a source of electriccurrent.v

Provided in the interior bottom of the pot 28 is a circular conduit orpassageway 42 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) which extends to the rightlof Fig. 6through the entire lateral extension 34 of the pot. This passagewayserves to conduct fluid adhesive into the lateral extension 34 whence itis applied to the tape as will be presently described. As shown best inFig. 5, this passageway 42 is in communication with av vertical opening44 which actually is a rectangular hole provided in the upper portion ofthe lateral extension34 above the passageway 42. In accordance with theprinciples of barometric feedthe fluid adhesive flows into the lateralextension 34 and upwardly through the opening 44.

To control thefiow of adhesiveinto the opening 44, even to the extent ofcompletely shutting off this fiow 46 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) mounted in thecircular passageway 42 in the lateral extension 34 and extendingsomewhat outwardly, beyond the right-hand side of the extension 34 tofacilitate its rotation by the operator. The left-hand portion of thevalve member 46, as shown in Fig. 5, is hollow and is provided with acut-out 48 in the form of an open-ended slot extending axially from theleft-hand end of the valve member. As will be seen, in the adjustedposition of the rotary valve member 46 in which the cut-out 48 is inregister with the opening 44, the adhesive may flow from the pot 28through the passageway 42 and the valve member 46 into the opening 44 tobe applied to the tape. To shut off the flow of adhesive the valvemember 46 is rotated to close the lower end of the opening 44, and tothat end there is provided in the end face of the outwardly extendingportion of the valve member 46 a slot (see Fig. 1) into which may beinserted a screw driver for the purpose of rotating the valve member 46.To hold the valve member 46 in place, there is threaded into the upperportion of the lateral extension 34 a screw 50 (Fig. 5) having a reducedlower end which engages a circumferential groove 52 machined into thevalve member 46 at right angles to the latters longitudinal axis.

As shown best in Fig. 5, there are provided on top of the lateralextension 34 at opposite sides of the opening 44 small blocks 54, 56attached to the extension 34 by screws and providing between them apassage, which in fact is a vertical extension of the opening 44 andinto which the adhesive may flow from the opening 44 so long as thevalve member 46 is adjusted in its open position. The opposite innerfaces of the blocks 54, 56' are provided with small shoulder portions55, 57 for supporting the tape which is passed horizontally along theseshoulder portions by the application of manual pull to the tape by theoperator at the dispensing device 16. The two blocks 54, 56 haverearward extensions 58 (Fig. 6) which carry in lugs 59 (Fig. 1) providedat their rear ends a hinge pin 60 on which is rotatably mounted a tapeholddown member 62. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the uncoated tape t isguided around the lower surfaces of the lugs 59 toward the shoulderportions 55, 57 of the blocks 54, 56. A portion of the member 62 fitsinto the passage provided between the blocks 54, 56, resting on the tapeand serving the purpose not only of holding the tape down in itsadhesive applying position over the opening 44 and in contact with theadhesive coming up out of the opening 44 into the passage between theblocks 54, 56 but also controlling the thickness of the coat of adhesiveapplied to the tape and insuring the uniformity of this coat across theentire width of the tape. The operative position of the hinged holddownmember 62 is adjustable by means of a set screw 64 (Figs. 5 and 6)carried by a lateral extension of the holddown member 62 and seated uponthe rearward extension 58 of the small block 56. Supported in the forkedfront end of the holddown member 62, in front of the front ends of theblocks 54 and 56', is a small roll 66 over which the coated tape runs asit emerges out of the adhesive applying device, the tape passing intothe adhesive applying device beneath the rear end of the holddown member62 which is spaced from the top face of the lateral extension 34. Theholddown member 62 is locked in its adjusted operative position by a.small binding screw 68 threaded through the block 56- and engaging theright-hand side face of the holddown member 62 as shown in Fig. 5.

To cover up the bore holes provided in the lateral extension 34 whichbore holes house the two cartridges 36 as well as valve member 46,there'is provided a face plate 70 secured to the right-hand end portion(Fig. 6) of the lateral extension 34v by screws.

To support the above-mentioned tape guiding rolls 18 and 22 there isprovided an angle. iron 72. (Figs. 1

, relatively large diameter.

. 4 and 4) which is screw-attached to the base plate 24 and supports therolls 18 and 20 on pivot screws. Likewise, there is provided an angleiron 74, also screw-attached to the base plate 24, for pivotallysupporting the roll 20 as shown in Fig. 1.

Moreover, there is provided an upright elongated member 76 (Figs. 1, 2,4 to 6) for carrying the support 10 for the supply of uncoated tape aswell as the support 14 for one convolution of coated tape. This uprightsupporting member 76 is integral with a rectangular foot plate 78 (Figs.1, 4 to 6) which is secured to the top of the lateral extension 34,between the pot 28 and the adhesive applying device 12, by two screws 80as shown best in Fig. 6.

The support 10 for the coiled supply of uncoated tape is rotatablymounted on the upright 76 by a screw 82 (Fig. 4) carrying a reel 84 uponwhich the coiled supply of uncoated tape is wound. A hub portion 86 ofthe reel is held in spaced relation to the upright 76 by a spacingcollar 88 and the right-hand end portion of the screw 82 carries acircular retaining plate 90 and a collar 92 which is held againstrotation by a binding thumb screw 94 engaging the screw 82. It will bereadily seen that by releasing the thumb screw 94 and slipping thecollar 92 and plate 90 off the screw 82, the empty reel 84 may be easilyremoved and a new supply reel may be put in its place.

The above-mentioned support 14 for one convolution of coated tape, whichpermits the tape, after it has been coated, to dry out somewhat and cooloff before it is dispensed, is mounted on the upper end of the upright76 and comprises in essence a reel 96 (Figs. 1 and 2) of In fact, thereel is of such diameter that one convolution of coated tape may besupported by it substantially between the adhesive applying means 12 andthe tape dispensing means 16 or, more specifically, between the tapeguiding roll 18 which, as shown in Fig.1, is located adjacent to thatportion of the adhesive applying device 12 whence the coated tapeemerges therefrom and the rolls 20 and 22 which guide or direct thecoated tape to the tape dispensing device 16. As shown in Fig. 2, thereel 96 is supported on a screw 98 extending through the upper end ofthe upright 76 and held in place by a lock nut. A spacer 100 surroundingthe screw between the upright 76 and the reel 96 provides sufficientclearance for the unimpeded rota tion of the reel 96.

The above-mentioned tape dispensing and severing device 16 is supportedon an angle iron 102 (Fig. 1) secured on top of the base plate 24 byscrews 104 and extending outwardly toward the left of Fig. l. The topend face of the vertical portion of the angle iron 102 and an adjacentbacking plate 106 serve to hold the end of the coated tape in readinessto be grasped by the operator, Who by pulling on it, will reel off anextent of tape of the desired length which then is severed by applying adownward pull to the tape while resting across the serrated top edge ofa cutting plate 108 (Figs. 1 and 3), which plate as well as the backingplate 106 are held in place by a front plate 110 and two attachingscrews 112 securing these parts as well as an intermediate spacer plateto the angle iron 102. As shown in Fig. 3, the front plate 110 hasprovided in its top portion a recess to expose the serrated top edge ofthe cutting plate 108 and to permit the tape to be readily pulled offand severed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United I mounted on said base for asupply of adhesive, electric heating elements for heating the adhesivein said container, means having therein a passageway having an upwardlydirected opening into which adhesive may flow from said container forapplying adhesive to a tape, a valve for controlling the flow ofadhesive into said passageway, a support for a supply of uncoated tapelocated directly above said container, blocks located at opposite sidesof said passageway and having shoulder portions for supporting a lengthof uncoated tape in substantially parallel relation to the top of saidopening as the tape is drawn over the adhesive therein, an adjustableholddown operating between said blocks to maintain the under surface ofthe tape in contact with the adhesive in said opening and control thethickness of the adhesive coating applied to the tape, means for guidingthe uncoated tape from said support toward the shoulder portions of saidblocks, a guide reel for the coated tape mounted above and in verticalalinement with said support, means for guiding the coated tape from saidshoulder portions of said blocks toward said guide reel, means forsevering and dispensing a length of coated tape, and means for guidingthe coated tape from said guide reel to said severing and dispensingmeans, whereby the adhesive applied to the tape is permitted to cool anddry during the travel of the tape from the adhesive container to thesevering and dispensing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,391,281 Snyder Sept. 20, 1921 2,144,263 Lane Jan. 17, 1939 2,192,453Rentsch Mar. 5, 1940 2,710,590 Gerard June 14, 1955 2,772,653 Williamsonet a1. Dec. 4, 1956

